MNBC would like to inform citizens that the Ministry of Skills Training, Employment, Post-Secondary (STEPS) has utilized its funds for this fiscal year ending March 31st, 2024. This funding is specific to post-secondary and skills training.
STEPS is proud to announce the new standards of practice implemented this year have allowed MNBC to be more efficient and fund more citizens in education, with less funding compared to previous years.
“Although a pause in funding is always a sad thing to announce, the efficiency in which we spent the money available to us was second to none and is a testament to the work that is being done in my ministries”, says Paulette Flamond, Minister of Skills Training, Employment, Post-Secondary. The ministries that make up STEPS have shown their dedication to building a stronger Métis Nation with any means necessary, and will continue to do so in advocating for more funding and administering programs year after year.”
MNBC has several funding streams to support STEPS applicants. To date, this fiscal year, MNBC’s STEPS programs have committed to supporting over 1,000 training and post-secondary education requests from Métis learners in BC.
It is also important to note that this funding pause only affects requests for this fiscal year (April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024); funding for next fiscal year will be administered when it becomes contractually available for trainings beginning after April 1, 2024.
While these funding streams will be exhausted, STEPS will continue to offer ongoing programs such as Early Childhood Education training and available skills training cohorts. STEPS has also set aside funds for emergency employment/student supports and paid practicum/wage subsidy needs.
Any existing completed STEPS applications and new applications for post-secondary education/training support will be placed on a waitlist and will be assessed and processed as funds become available for this fiscal year. STEPS will continue to advocate for additional funding to support Métis citizens and help build a stronger Métis Nation for years to come.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your regional office:
Region 1 - Van Isl & Powell River
Address: Unit 102- 3156 Barons Road Nanaimo BC, V9T 4B5
Toll-Free: 1-888-632-9450
Email: STEPS-R1@mnbc.ca
Region 2 - Lower Mainland
NEW Address: Métis Nation BC Employment & Training 380 – 13401 108 Ave, Surrey V3T 5T3
Toll-Free: 1-800-940-1150
Email: STEPS-R2@mnbc.ca
Region 3 - Thompson & Okanagan
Address: #13 – 1800 Tranquille Rd Kamloops, BC V2B 3L9
Toll Free: (1-855)-376-9263
Email: STEPS-R3@mnbc.ca
Region 4 - Kootenays
Address: #240-1113 Baker Street Cranbrook, BC V1C 1A7
Toll Free: 1-888-417-3306
Email: STEPS-R4@mnbc.ca
Region 5 - North Central
Address: 455 Quebec St Prince George BC V2L 1W5
Toll Free: 1-877-561-2754
Email: STEPS-R5@mnbc.ca
Region 6 - North West
Address: 102-4650 Lazelle Avenue, Terrace, BC V8G 1S6
Phone Number: 778-763-4344
Email: STEPS-R6@mnbc.ca
Region 7 - North East
Address: 9904 94 Street, Fort St. John, BC V1J 0M7
Toll Free:1-888-700-1957
Email: STEPS-R7@mnbc.ca